Battle Lines Drawn Between Mashaba And Jordaan

Editor's Blog: Battle Lines Drawn Between Mashaba And Jordaan

Bafana Bafana’s head coach, Shakes Mashaba, has been suspended by the South African Football Association following, as SAFA’s statement read, a “regrettable incident at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 12 November 2016”.

The “regrettable incident” being referred to happened after the final whistle sounded to give Bafana a 2–1 home win against Senegal in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier, when, before the post-match interviews, a visibly frustrated Mashaba lashed out at anyone who cared to listen. What was supposed to be a good win – notwithstanding the dubious penalty awarded to Bafana – was almost completely overshadowed by Mashaba’s rant, as he pointed a finger at almost everyone and claimed to be a victim of a lack of support. His assistant, Thabo Senong, as well as SAFA’s Communications Officer, Matlhomola Morake, tried, mostly in vain, to restrain the infuriated Mashaba from lashing out at SAFA officials.

“This is my second life! These people have already buried me, you know that?” lamented Mashaba after the game, pointing a finger at the media for all the continued speculation surrounding his future with the national team. But before I even discuss Mashaba’s attack of the media, let me firstly explain why I fully understand his frustrations, at the risk of sounding like I’m condoning his shameful behaviour.

SAFA can’t deny Mashaba’s claims of lack of support, as they have virtually deserted him in his hour of need. If anything, the head honchos from SAFA House have continuously fuelled rumours of Mashaba’s axing with bold media statements, as if to suggest the coach is on his own. Everyone seems to be distancing themselves from the coach who is said to be “stubborn and doesn’t want to listen to anyone”, so maybe it’s a case of giving him a long enough rope to hang himself. However, all the while there have been a number of ‘heads must roll’ threats indirectly pointed at the coach from some of the top brass at SAFA House.

One comment that comes to mind was that of Danny Jordaan after Bafana’s 1–1 last 2017 AFCON dead rubber qualifier against Mauritania at Mbombela Stadium. He stated, “I think it was a disappointing performance, we have to say that up straight. This must be the end of the journey, not the beginning, because this cannot lead us to the 2018 campaign, where we play the giants of the African continent. I hope that the Nelson Mandela Challenge against Egypt will indicate to us that we have the team, the determination and the will and guts to win. What we saw tonight was disappointing. We had a goal given to us through a penalty, we had numerous opportunities, but we cannot continue to talk about the same thing. I think we want to see a better performance against Egypt and I hope that we will see that…”

The president’s comment, among others, clearly didn’t sit well with the Bafana coach, so it came as no surprise when he was asked in a recent interview with Soccer Laduma why SAFA wasn’t standing up for him, Mashaba simply replied, “Those are the people who must come out, but if you listen to their comments in the newspapers, they are scary… scary. I have a contract with SAFA and for them to be bringing up new things to say, ‘What, what… heads will roll.’ For me it’s a shock and surprise, you know.” That statement pretty much sums up the relationship between Mashaba and his bosses.

It is also said that Mashaba refused to shake SAFA president Danny Jordaan’s hand after the game, as well as insulted him in what appears to be a protest of lack of support from the mother body’s powers-that-be. It has also been reported that both Jordaan and SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble were unhappy with the head coach’s behaviour, which is what led to his suspension less than 24 hours after the team’s victory. It seems Mashaba clearly felt vindicated by this recent victory and now the battle lines have been drawn between him and Jordaan. That said, Owen da Gama was entrusted with the responsibility of guiding the team in the international friendly against Mozambique last night (Tuesday), while Mashaba’s future at this stage remains unclear. However, as the beleaguered coach has been walking a proverbial tightrope for a long time now, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the controversial win against Senegal was his last game in charge of the team.

So, on one hand I see where Shakes is coming from. However, my gripe with the 66-year-old Mashaba is his constant attitude towards the media whenever the going gets tough. When the media sang his praises during his lengthy unbeaten streak leading up to Bafana’s impressive qualification for the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea, he had no problem basking in the headlines stating he might be the ‘Messiah of South African football’. However, the moment the media questioned his tactics and things became a bit more challenging, he was quick to point a finger instead of addressing matters at hand. He has also played the race card on a few occasions, as well as accused the media of having an agenda against him, which is farfetched to say the very least.

One thing Coach Shakes needs to understand is that the media is not here to play a public relations role for him, and that when players like Kamohelo Mokotjo, Dino Ndlovu, Kermit Erasmus and others quit the national team, we will attempt to find out why. It is our duty to do so. Similarly, if SAFA continues to issue strong statements against him, we are not going to stop writing about them. Anyone who holds public office will forever be subjected to public scrutiny; it just comes with the territory! You either withstand the heat, or you get out of the kitchen, simple as that.

Comments

mashaba is well within his rights to refuse a handshake if he so feels so especially when he knows its for show. as for the media they always had it in for mashaba from day 1 when they said he was only appointed cause he was the cheap coach. mashaba cried in his first press conference if you can remember. on the other hand he must understand that he was not appointed by the Gupta's in that position so he must account

Even if u can hire Brazilian coach he wont change Dollys to be Neymers, our players will still be lets play our game our style, Coach is ryt dont disturb him, Danny wena you Fail us @PE now you busy ngokunya emva ko coach; HOW CAN u LET RULED BY DA maan, and live struggles continues come back and clean your tissues no issues

Editor you've the right to your opinion but remember SAFA do a favour for Masham his been failing the nation but Jordan stick with him so this nonsense you're writing here it's an insult to us readers .So stop feeding this rubbish, you make angry for the first time since I read this paper

Why should SAFA support Mashaba when the team is failing? I think there's nothing wrong with SAFA. They have been firing coaches who were not producing good results, so why should they baby sit Mashaba? They fired Pitso, they fired Godon Igusend for not qualifying to Brazil because of Pitso and Kompela (and Parker). I honestly think Godon Igusend had a nice team. Farrrr better that Mashaba's. Godon had good relationships with players and he was known for visiting the players to have a cup of coffee, which Mashaba never does. Mashaba criticised Mokotjo in the Media saying he looks heavy and sluggish. How can he say such a thing about this young boy who is known to be once of the best central midfielders in Holland? Mashaba doesn't talk to his players and explain why he doesn't play them and where they need to improve instead he leaves you isolated on the bench. He doesn't care. Back to my point, I don't see anything wrong with SAFA. They gave been firing coaches and Mashaba is not anyhow special. If he is not doing according to their plan, then let him leave. One important thing that proves that Mashaba is the problem is resignation of players. We know about Erasmus-Mokotjo, one of Mzansis greatest talents. Now Dino Ndlovu joined them. This shows that a lot of players are not happy with the old man but they are afraid to talk like Ndlovu said. Rowen Williams even went on to question how does Mabogwane get selected while he doesn't even play? Do many players feel like there's no competition in getting into Bafana, some players are guaranteed selection. Many players don't understand his selection criteria, infact not only players but all the people in the country don't understand how this old man works. Example: there was a time Erasmus was scoring goals for Pirates together with Majoro and went on to bang goals together with Gabuza in the CAF Cup. He was amongst the best players in the competition and in the end he was selected in Africa Team of the year with Big Guns like Yaya Toure, but guess what? Mashaba selected Vuyusile Wana who never played for Swallows but played in play offs against NFD and scored, but that was enough to convince Mashaba. Now do u blame Erasmus for saying he won't play under the current coach? If SAFA decides to make peace with Mashaba, such issues of players resigning must be discussed, all the players who resigned must be called in the meeting because I know they want to represent the county. It's every footballers dream.

Ntate Mashaba overstayed his welcome and ran out of ideas. Venting his frastration in cameras was uncalled for. if he cannot withstand the pressure or heat from the public and media then he be shipped out.

SAFA owes Shakes Mashaba an apology, a public one at that. They've always spoke ill of him in public, hence the public is also crucifying Mashaba game-after-game. The only way forward is for SAFA to acknowledge their wrongs and apologize to Shakes, and then for Shakes to apologize to the SA football fraternity, even though he doesn't owe us any apology, we are the ones owing him one, but as a leader he just have to humble himself.

Dose who knows Shakes 4rm his playing days knows very well dat Shakes is lyk dat, bekayi shaya impama vele even refrees knows n besides since Shakes has been der all dis tym he daznt respect de Jordans all bcos dey wer not der during dose days n de only respect he has is 4 de Kaizers de Khoza's n de Jomo Sono's of dis world infact dis tension is being brewing all dis tym, des n agenda 4rm de Khoza's n De Kaizer's bcos dey feel dey been robbed by de Jordans who emerged 4rm nowhere n claimed deya hard work glory